The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted on July 21 to start the process of placing a measure on the Nov. 3 ballot that will guarantee a minimum of 10% of general funds are used to address the needs of low-income residents.

Recent protests and the COVID-19 pandemic have placed a focus on longstanding and systemic inequity that negatively impacts Black, Indigenous and other communities of color, the supervisors said. The ballot measure would change the county charter and establish an ordinance to begin a graduated, three-year process to adjust how the general fund portion of L.A. County’s budget is spent. The changes would reflect the board’s determination to end disparities and improve the health and safety of all residents.

“For the last several years, this board has been reimagining Los Angeles and has taken significant actions to expand access to housing, mental health treatment and law enforcement diversion programs, but there is only so far we can go without budget adjustments that are consistent with this board’s values and priorities,” said Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, 3rd District, who authored the motion. “This represents a policy that will outlast any one board member’s tenure, so we want to be sure voters agree that this is the direction we want to go.” 

L.A. County’s $34.9 billion budget comes from a combination of local, state and federal funding sources. The general fund revenue amounts to $8.8 billion. Currently, county law enforcement and the legal system receive 42% of the general fund.

The ordinance to be drafted would forbid that at least 10% of the overall funding be directed to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, District Attorney’s Office, the Superior Courts or the Probation Department. 

“I understand that belt-tightening must be done, but now is the time to be bold and invest in projects that will directly benefit our most vulnerable communities,” said Supervisor Hilda Solis, 1st District. “This proposed amendment to the county charter puts that power in the hands of the voters so that we may never go back to the ways things were. We cannot put this off. Now is the time to courageously step up to end systemic inequities head-on, and L.A. County will rise to this challenge.”

For information, visit bos.lacounty.gov.